Avalanche sign G Kent Patterson

The Avalanche have signed Golden Gophers goalie Kent Patterson to a two-year, two-way contract for $1.25 million. Patterson was drafted by the Avalanche in the fourth round of the 2007 entry draft. The 6'1" 196 lb goaltender spent four years playing for the University of Minnesota, where he recently backstopped his team to the Frozen Four. The team ultimately lost to the champion Boston College. He became the Gophers' starter in his junior season; that year, he was named to the All-WCHA Second Team and voted by his teammates the MVP of the team. He held a 14-9-6 record with a 2.49 GAA and .920 save percentage.

During his senior year, Patterson was named to the All-WHCA First Team and won the WCHA Goaltending Champion title, recording a 2.06 GAA in league games. He started 43 games in 2011-2012, with a 28-14-1 record, 2.32 GAA and .907 save percentage. Patterson will join Calvin Pickard, Cedrick Desjardins *, and Sami Aittokallio in the fight for a spot on the Lake Erie Monsters roster next season. The Avs have yet to sign other goalie prospect Kieran Millan.

* Angelique just informed me that Desjardins is a UFA who may not be re-signed.